Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies hosted its inaugural Early Childhood Leadership Summit Oct. 3, welcoming 87 education leaders from across the greater Houston area to explore the latest research and best practices in early learning.
The summit brought together principals, program directors and specialists from public, charter and private schools as well as representatives from nonprofit education organizations for a day focused on high-quality early learning experiences and their lifelong impact.
Erin Baumgartner, director of the Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium, highlighted how early childhood education sets the foundation for academic success in her keynote address. She discussed the critical role of highly qualified early childhood teachers, the need for ongoing professional development and the growing challenge of supporting emergent bilingual students through effective bilingual education programs. Baumgartner also emphasized the importance of vertical alignment across grade levels to ensure consistent student growth.
Following the keynote, attendees participated in interactive breakout sessions led by local experts that connected research to classroom practice. Topics included designing intentional play-based learning experiences, applying the latest findings in the science of reading and fostering language development through meaningful teacher-child conversations.
The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring education leaders from Houston Independent School District, Spring Branch ISD, Aldine ISD, St. Mark’s Episcopal School, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Children’s Museum Houston, who shared insights on advancing early learning through community collaboration.
“Our first Early Childhood Leadership Summit exceeded our expectations, bringing together passionate educators and leaders who are dedicated to advancing early childhood learning in our community,” said Jordan Khadam-Hir, director of Rice’s School Literacy and Culture program. “This summit exemplifies the collaborative spirit and commitment to innovation that defines School Literacy and Culture and our Houston-area early childhood educators.”
Participants praised the event’s energy and focus on practical application. “Well done! Great people and presentations. I learned so much about this age range from today’s sessions,” said Chandel Bonner-Hancock of the Harris County Department of Education. Others highlighted the value of collaboration and alignment across school districts to strengthen early learning systems.
The summit was made possible through sponsorship from CenterPoint Energy.
To learn more about Rice’s School Literacy and Culture program, visit literacy.rice.edu.